October has been a glorious month. The beauty of the fall colors in New England, the unusally warm temperatures, and the fun of our favorite sports teams winning has provided us with much excitement and fun. In addition, we have had two beautiful weddings in the church. As these young people have committed themselves to each other, we have all wished for them much joy and long and happy marriages. Some of us who have been married for many years found ourselves thinking that they don't have a clue about what these promises will mean
for better or worse
for richer or poorer
in sickness and in health
forsaking all others
Those are heady promises. I am reminded of the commitment we make when we accept Christ as our savior. At the beginning we might not know what that involves. But as we live and walk with him, we learn that he is with us in good times and bad, in times of abundance and of deep financial need, and when we are sick and when we are well. When we acknowledge him as our God, we forsake all other gods and serve him only.

Perhaps this is why Christ compared himself to the bridegroom and described the church as his bride. There seem to be some real similarities.